The Physical Benefits of Salat

Zakariyya Virk, Kingston

Ahmadiyya Gazette, August 1993
Salat is one of the five fundamental requirements that a Muslim is obligated to perform. Salat is
given the highest priority in the Holy Quran. There are many benefits of Salat described in the
Book of Allah. It says, innassalata tanha anil fahsha'i, Surely Prayer restrains one from indecency.
(29:46) In chapter Luqman, We read that when Hadhrat Luqman was giving advice to his son, the
first and foremost on his mind was to remind his son, ya bunayya aqimissalat "O my dear son,!
observe Prayer." (31:8)
According to a Hadith the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, inna
fissalati shifa'a " verily there is cure in salat ". According to a Muslim scholar, as reported in
monthly Urdu magazine, Tahazibul Akhlaq, Aligarh, India, a Muslim who offers salat regularly has
very little chance of getting arthritis as we exercise our bones and joints while we offer salat.
In the light of this Hadith we shall endeavor to describe some orthopedic benefits of salat in this
short note.
1. Regular exercise reduces cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol causes heart failures,
strokes, diabetes and many other ailments. It is a known fact that people in professions where
exercise is required have less amount of cholesterol in their bodies.
2. Salat is an excellent form of exercise to prevent indigestion. In the morning when stomach
is empty, a Muslim is required to offer fewer number of Rak'aat whereas in the evening after the
dinner we offer an extra number of Rak'aat.
3. By offering Takbir at the beginning of salat, we move hand and shoulder muscles thereby
increasing the flow of blood towards torso. Akamat performs a similar function.
4. The most important function in salat is sajdah where we touch the ground with our
forehead. This posture increases fresh supply of blood to our brain. Needless to say in certain
forms of yoga some adherents stand on their heads for the same purpose.
5. In tashah'hud position, our hip, elbow, knee joints, backbone, wrist joints move in a way that
it provides a form of relaxation to our entire body. Pressure is applied on the body parts as if it was
a kind of massage which releases tension.
6. Heart in the most important organ in the body. It supplies fresh blood to all body tissues.
These body movements performed during salat are an excellent source of exercise for our heart as
well. According to a Hadith of the Holy Prophet,"There is an organ in the body, when it is healthy,
the whole body is healthy, and when this is sick, the entire body becomes sick". It is the heart.
7. A remarkable tissue in our body is cartilage. It is unique in being a living tissue with no
direct blood supply. The only way it receives nutrients and oxygen is by movements of the joints.
The pumping effect forces blood into the joint area which would otherwise be bypassed. Those
who sit at the terminals are in greater danger of ending up with dead cartilage tissues that will
subsequently wear away. This will leave us with arthritis, painful joints and paralysis. Bacteria and
viruses find safe haven in joints for this reason as no blood cell can get at them and in most cases
neither can antibodies. Salat therefore, has many orthopedic benefits for all Muslims. Next time
you offer salat, thank Almighty Allah that He made you a Muslim. Indeed, there is cure in salat.
Zakariyya. 1993. The Physical Benefits of Salat, (http://www.alislam.org/library/
articles/salat.htmdiakses 26 Maret 2014.



There are several medical benefits of Salat (Namaz):- of offering Salah and as every Muslim
knows that the best part of Salah is the sujood, that is the prostration.

No wonder the Quran has mentioned the word sujood, prostration no less than 90 times in the
glorious Quran. Where [do] you do sujood in the Salah? Normally when you [stand] erect, blood
does flow into the brain but it is not sufficient for a healthy brain. During Salah when you [go into]
sujood extra blood flows into the brain, which is very important for [a] healthy brain. When you do
sujood, this extra blood supply to the skin on the face [helps] prevent diseases such as chilblain
etc.

When you do sujood there is drainage of sinuses and there are fewer chances that a person will
have sinusitis, that is inflammation of the sinus, this drainage of module sinus, of the frontal sinus,
and a person has less chances of having inflammation of the sinus, that is sinusitis.

There are various benefits. [For example], when a person does sujood even the bronchitis's, the
secretion of the bronchitis, they get drained, there are less chances of having bronchitis.

When a person breathes normally only two thirds of the capacity of the lung is exhaled out, the
remaining one third remain in the lung as a residual air, now when you do sujood the abdominal
visra, they press against the diaphragm and the diaphragm presses against the lower part of the
lungs, the lower lobes, and when you breath during sujood even this one third residual air is aired
out and that's very important for a healthy lung. There are less chances of having diseases of the
lungs.

When you do sujood, there is increased venes return there is less chance of having hernia, etc.
Due to posture in sujood there is less chances of having hemorrhoid, that is piles.

In a salah we stand up and we sit down, do qayam, rukuh, sujood and when we stand up from
same position the weight is localized on the bottom of the feet and the calve muscle and the thigh
muscle are activated and they increase the blood supply to the lower part of the body, which is very
important. Further we do various postures like standing erect, bowing down, prostrating, the
vertebra column takes various postures and there are less chances of having disease of the
vertebrae, of the spine.
There are medical benefits [and] you can give a talk only on this topic. But we Muslims, we offer
Salah to thank Allah (SWT), to praise Him. These are just side dishes. They are like dessert. You
know it may attract a person who is a non-Muslim, towards Salah but our main meal, our main
biryani, our main course is to thank Allah (SWT) and to obey the commandments of Allah and the
Prophet. That is the reason we offer Salah

Why 5 times daily salat:-

As I mentioned in the earlier episode that Salah is a sort of
programming towards righteousness, that we are programmed
towards righteousness. And the requirement [is] that it should
be repeated [a] minimum [of] 5 times a day. For example for a
very healthy body, a doctor will tell you, you require [a]
minimum [of] 3 meals a day. Similarly for a spiritual soul, a
person is required to offer Salah 5 times a day. And the
requirement is, [that] there are chances that because of the
evil in the society around us, we may get de-programmed. So
if we are kept on being re-programmed, there are more
chances that you will remain [steadfast on the] Sirat al
mustaqeem, on the straight path. Therefore it is compulsory
that every Muslim should offer Salah [a] minimum [of] 5 times
a day.

Doesn't Salat disturb my job productivity. If you know the rules of management, [you will know]
that a person cannot work continuously for hours together. If a person comes to office at 9 o'clock
in the morning and sits till 6 o'clock in the evening, continuously for 9 hours, in fact he will be less
productive. That is the reason that there are some short breaks given in between. So a person can
get re-created, you know we have recreation. Similarly Salah is a sort of recreation. It rejuvenates
you. If someone tells me that I am losing time, I am less productive, because I waste 15 minutes
having lunch break, I would say that he is not a logical person because only if he has meals
regularly, can he do more work. Similarly if a person offers Salah at intervals, I do agree he may
have to work for a few minutes but when he stops and he comes back to work he works with a
much better frame of mind and productivity overall will be much better. So for a logical person and
a modern person he has to agree that there should be breaks so that a person can get recreated
and Salah is the best form of rejuvenating your mind.
Naik, Z. 2010. Medical Benefits Of Salah (prayer), (http://www.nairaland.com/474021/medical-
benefits-salah-prayer), diakses 26 Maret 2014.






The Medical Benefits of Prayer (Salah)
Salah is the Arabic word for prayer and its name and basic
movements are familiar to Muslims all over the world. Much
less commonly known is that there is a physical aspect to the
words origin, as it comes from salan which means the
middle of the back. A possible connection is that this
distinctive form of the prayer (also practised by the prophets
mentioned in the Bible, such as Moses and Jesus) is largely
constituted by the position and inclination of the back in the
four positions of standing straight, bowing, prostrating and
sitting.
A study in 2002 carried out in the Hokkaido University School
of Medicine sought to assess the impact of light exercise in
Salah, as a mechanism for the rehabilitation of the health of old and disabled patients. The
researchers monitored the active ranges of the motions of prayer by placing a goniometer (an
instrument that measures angle) on the joints of patients. Also, brain blood pressure was
monitored in order to assess the effect of gravity at the different positions. The following analysis of
the medical benefits of prayer, although based on the study of old and disabled patients, without
doubt has an application to the health and well being of people of all ages and fitness.
Standing for Prayers
Standing, according to the research, helps develop balance. While standing, Muslims exert
pressure comfortably, the centre of pressure is usually midway between the instep of the two feet.
In the standing position, Muslims raise their hands and then bring them down clasping their left
hand with right. The hands are placed above or below the navel, chest or abdomen. It was found
that the voluntary clenching of the left wrist with the right hand increased blood to the hand area,
the left motor cortex and the sensory areas in the post-central gyrus (in the brain).
The prayer itself then consists of Muslims uttering verses from the Quran in Arabic. The research
shows that through the exercise of the muscles during speech there is an increase in blood flow to
the tongue, face, mouth, sensory and motor areas, and the upper pre-motor cortex in the brain.
This is just the physical speech act. When the person also contemplates or becomes involved in
creative speech, blood flow is increased to specific speech areas in the brain.
Bowing
After standing, praying Muslims bow. This is simply the forward movement of the vertebrate
column (especially the lumbar region), with their hands coming to rest firmly on their knees.
Following the utterances of Glory be to God the Almighty, there is a reversion to the standing
position. Several muscles and joints are stimulated during these movements. For example, among
the muscles exercised are the abdominals of both sides, which are the paired muscles that run
vertically across the abdomen. They are crucial for respiration, protecting the internal organs, and
creating the intra abdominal pressure required to lift heavy items. Thus the stimulation of such
muscles would be highly recommended and beneficial.
Prostration
After having reverted back to the standing position, Muslims then prostrate themselves before God
. This is done simply by first kneeling and then putting the forehead and bridge of the nose to
touch the ground, with the arms out to the side and the palms flat. The researchers claim these
movements Have a great impact on the blood flow in the human brain. They also assert that
because of the varying motions in prostration it helps improve, cerebral (brain) circulation and
helps avoid ischemic brain disease. Also they assert movements from a natural vertical position to
prostration, help in the maintenance of a steady postural equilibrium.
Sitting
Sitting is the final position of Salah, and it again stimulates a variety of joints and muscles, firming
the toes, knees, thighs and legs. To conclude their Salah, Muslims invoke salutations of peace by
saying, Assalamu alaykum wa rahmatullah (peace be upon you together with Gods mercy), first
over the right shoulder and then left, which involves the stretching of the neck muscles.
Concluding Remarks
The study concluded that Salah has psychological, musculoskeletal and cerebral effects on
improving the muscular functions of geriatric, disabled and dementia patients in a rehabilitation
program. Thus old and disabled patients can benefit greatly for Salah, but such good light
exercise is also wonderful for younger people, alongside more strenuous physical workouts. There
is additional value in Salah as it is relatively short, mild and moderate, stimulates the brain and
body, and also is prescribed consistently (i.e. five times or more a day).
All in all, while Muslims perform their prayer, because it has been commanded by Allah , there is
an underlying and undeniable wisdom to the practice for health and well being. Abu Dharr narrated
that the Prophet said: In every morning there is a charitable act on the joints of any of you.
Every tasbihah (to say subhanallah, i.e. glory be to Allah) is a charitable act; every tahmidah (to
say alhamdulillah, i.e. praise be to Allah) is a charitable act, every tahlilah (to say la ilaha illallah,
i.e. there is none worthy of worship but Allah) is a charitable act; every takbirah (to say allahu
akbar, i.e. Allah is the greatest) is a charitable act; enjoining the right is a charitable act; forbidding
the evil is a charitable act. However, to fulfil that charity, it is sufficient to pray two rakat (units) of
Duha (the optional mid-morning prayer).
Here we can see that the performance of just two units of prayer suffices for the charity due to
thank Allah for every joint in the human body. Why should this be, except that Salah, as an act
that affects every part of the body, requires every joint to make its contribution to the total
performance of the worship?
Arsalan Azad
First published in The Invitation (www.invitation-magazine.com).
Azad,A. 2011. The Medical Benefits of Prayer (Salah), (http://dobuy.co.uk/cbhuk/?p=483),
diakses 26 Maret 2014.






Health benefits of Salat

Different postures of Salat. In every posture there
are certain health benefits, for example, bowing
position tones stomach muscles, abdomen and
kidneys and the spine becomes supple and
flexible, while the spinal nerves are nourished. In
doing Sujud, there is less chance of getting
headache, spasms, aches, etc. due to the fact that
the electrostatic charges are dissipated and
discharged.SALAT has been made compulsory on
all believers in all situations. It is an activity which
cannot be neglected under any circumstance. This
obligation on us should not be regarded as a
burden, but rather it should be cherished and
appreciated.
The Arabic word Salah, doesnt only mean prayer, because pray basically means to address a
prayer to God or another deity, according to the Oxford dictionary. Salah, is a word with a broad
meaning, which doesnt only mean prayer, but also means goodness, righteousness and
godliness. In Salah, we not only ask from Allah but we also thank Him, praise Him and at the same
time receive guidance from Him. Salah in the true sense is programming or conditioning.
The prayer conditions us to stay away from forbidden and shameful actions, and encourages us to
do righteous and sensible deeds. Since we humans have limited free will, this conditioning will help
us and enable us to stay away from forbidden things, and enjoin on what is not forbidden. A
healthy body requires three meals a day. Similarly, the spiritual soul requires five times Salah a
day.
Besides attaining spiritual upliftment from performing ones Salat, one may also gain many physical
and psychological benefits. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is recorded in a Hadith (Ibn
Majah) stating that prayer is a cure for many diseases. The wisdom in this claim can be understood
when assessing the physical benefits of the act of prayer.
The process of performing Salat expects certain movements and actions, these actions performed
at least five times a day have been found to equate to jogging or walking at a rate of three miles an
hour.
This is a basic level of exercise strongly advocated by doctors and members of the medical
fraternity on a whole. The importance of exercise is undeniable, with potential benefits to the
cardiac, respiratory, skeletal and muscular system. The dynamics of Salat contribute to the
improvement of all of these systems, with specific emphasis on the muscular and cardiac systems.
Before we delve into a detailed discussion, it needs to be noted that the purpose of performing
Salat should not be to obtain health benefits, but rather to fulfill a religious requirement. The fact
that there are physical benefits associated with prayer comes as a blessing.
In Salah, when we perform ruku that is bowing down, extra blood flows into the upper part of the
body. The spine becomes supple and flexible, while the spinal nerves are nourished. This relieves
backache and pain. This is a good posture for reducing flatulence. This action stretches the lower
back, thighs, and calves while blood gets pumped into the upper torso. Bowing position tones
stomach muscles, abdomen and kidneys. When we come back to the standing position (after
ruku), the blood which has entered into the upper part of the body, comes back to normal and the
body is relaxed. As a result, this blood carries away toxins and releases tension.
When we do Sujud, which is basically the prostration to the ground with eight parts of the body
touching the floor, the forehead on the ground which is the best position of Salat. It is the most
relevant part of Salat. Daily, the human beings are propounded by electrostatic charges from the
atmosphere, which exudes perspiration in the central nervous system which gets super-saturated.
These extra electrostatic charges have to be dissipated and discharged, otherwise resulting in
headache, neck ache, muscles spasms, etc. No wonder people regularly take tranquillizers and
drugs to relieve the pain. These electrostatic charges are dissipated and discharged when the
frontal lobe of the brain is put on the ground, in Sujud. There is dominance of the frontal lobe, and
the thinking capacity of the brain is not on the top of the brain, but in the frontal lobe.
In doing Sujud, there is less chance of getting headache, spasms, aches, etc. due to the fact that
the electrostatic charges are dissipated and discharged.
Moreover, the Sujud allow extra blood supply to enter the brain, which enables it to become
healthier. It also has a positive effect on memory, vision, hearing, concentration and the psyche. In
addition, extra blood flows into the skin, neck and face which increases circulation of blood of the
skin, neck and face, which is very healthy especially in cold seasons.
Also, it allows mental toxins to be cleaned by blood. This is also very good for the brain. This
prevents diseases such as: Fibromyalgia (Fibrositis) and chilblains. During the Sujud, there is
drainage of the paranasal sinuses, thus there are less chances of getting sinusitis which consists
of inflammation of the linings of the sinuses that surround the nose.
In certain forms of yoga, some adherents stand on their heads for the purpose of blood flowing to
the brain, which we Muslims have been doing for centuries.
Saudi Gazette
_______ 2011. Health benefits of Salat, (http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/
index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=2011031896131), diakses 26 Maret
2014.